New and saying hello!

treesaaaaap

Hi,

My name is Daniel, 26 year old male, from Pittsburgh, PA. Well, I guess I can start by saying back in Feb. sometime I decided I definitely needed to start eating healthier and lose weight because I've been on a steady incline of weight gain since 2008.

Here is a little backstory:
When I graduated high school in 2005, I was rather overweight (at the time) at around 320lbs (being 6'4 didn't seem *that* bad). I realized that I was having trouble doing the same physical activities my (fit) peers were doing and needed to change it. So, after seeing my mother have success with the lo-carb type diet - I decided to try it out for myself. Wow, I was shocked to see how quickly the weight fell off with just 30 minutes of exercise and a very low amount of carbs! It was probably the easiest thing I've ever done and after a week or two it took so little thought - my weight just kept dropping. I ended up going from 320 pounds down to 245 (the smallest I've ever been) and leveled in 2007 some time. I could tell there was an absolute difference in the way I felt. You breath differently, you move differently, and finally felt comfortable in my own skin. Confidence! It didn't last long, however...

At some point I re-discovered fried foods, binge drinking, pizzas, burgers, cupcakes -- you name it. The weight began it's rise back up. Not so much at first because I worked a very physical job (90+ hour weeks, manual labor) but eventually, I was laid off and found myself unemployed for quite some time. I became extremely lazy. I did nothing most days but drink beer, eat, and lay about. (Besides the occasional job interview). Depression could have played a role in this? I don't know, but I found myself looking in the mirror in Feb., with total disgust. Breathing heavily, after just having to move some furniture, I decided to weigh myself. Wow. 326 lbs??? How could I let myself get here? After being so successful in my career, life, and on a great path health wise....I completely let go of myself.

(Before I go on, I have to say there were a few times in those years where I gave a half-a**ed attempt doing the lo-carb but could never get hooked again - or stay motivated. And honestly, I've never been much of a big foody. I was just incredibly non-active and overeating a bit)....

So, long-story-short, I decided that I lost weight once, I can do it again. I'm not gonna lay around anymore, feeling sorry for myself while continuously contributing to the destruction of my body and life. So Feb., I decided that I was going to take a different approach. Instead of depriving myself of certain foods (like with the lo-carb), I would simply start eating the right amount of calories and doing exercises everyday. Whether it was actual working-out exercise, or busting my a** doing things at work or around the house all day. I've made it down to 295, and I'm more and more motivated and active everyday.

People said that "counting calories" would become extremely tedious, and that it would discourage me quickly, but I found it quite the opposite. In fact, very easy. Simple math, etc. After I learned about calories and food (along with nutrition and other information), I really embraced it. I love the fact that I have a better understanding about food now, and I don't understand why nutrition, etc, isn't taught (in-depth) to children in the school system. It certainly wasn't taught in-depth where I went to school. I realize that it should be the parents job, but what the world should realize is that most parents don't teach their kids properly about nutrition, and people are surrounded with so many terrible options when it comes to what we consume. It's one of the most important things in our lives. It is LIFE. /endrant

I just want to add that, I'm no longer fearful of regaining weight thanks to this simple understanding of nutrition (and exercise -- or really, just being active). I realize I have a long way to go still, but I'm totally comfortable and confident I can do it.

The only thing I'm having trouble with is the drinking part. It's beer, but feels like I can't go a week without an ice cold one. Goes great with yard work, a baseball game, having company, you name it! My problem is, it's never just ONE. It can turn into 10, 15, 20, or even over 30 times that - easily. Although I feel like I've been cutting down a lot, just this weekend, I drank Friday night and Saturday night. Both nights, probably around 15-20 beers a piece. I tried "balancing" that with my calories and eating almost nothing that day - as TERRIBLE as that is. Yet, I found myself devouring thousands worth of calories both nights coming home and really hurting myself. So, as I weight myself today (Sunday) I'm up to 301 from 295. Kind of dampened my mood, but it's my fault and I'll be back on it hard all week! I will kick the drinking, it's been 10 years straight (and lot's of it) - it's time it needs to go. It's the only thing that can screw me up now.


Oh, and thanks if you took the time to read my little story. I don't blame anyone for not reading it because it's so long. Just feels kind of nice to get it all out there.

PS. I have a great job now, and I don't look bad at my weight, it almost works because I'm so tall and have a larger frame. It's all about being healthy though. Not worried about the looks, although I've been receiving a bunch of compliments lately. Haha!

Olivia

Thank you for sharing your story and welcome to MFP. Best of luck to you in all of your health goals. :flowerforyou: